1920s
Prohibition
Each group should post his/her responses in the cells below.Make sure that both questions are answered fully. Include your first name + last initial at the bottom of your cell.
Period 2
Period 3
Period 5
Summary Statement
Prohibition began when the 18th amendment was passed in 1920 which forbade the manufacture and sale of alcohol in order to eliminate social problems but due to opponents breaking the law on a massive scale it was repeated in 1933 with the passage of the 21st amendment.
Summary Statement: During the 1920s, alcohol was banned by the eighteenth amendment but this didn't stop Americans from drinking. In the 1920s, Americans consumed great amounts of alcohol and went to bars underground known as "speakeasies". Law enforcement was unable to stop the stream of illegal alcohol manufacturing.
Summary Statement:
In the 1920's, with the establishment of the eitheteenth amendment, began a national prohibation, forbiding the act of selling and maufacturing acoholic beverages with an alcoholic content greater than 0.5%. Although illegal many areas continued to drink but as an underground activity, like visiting speakeasies; some made millions off the illegal sale of alcohole.
Supporting Details/Key Terms:
  • 18th amendment-passed in 1920 forbade the manufacture and sale of alcohol greater than .5%
    • inforced by the Volstead Act
  • Anti-Saloon League- mobilized Protestant churches to elect candidates who were non- alcoholic
  • Lever Act of 1917- out lawed use of grain and food stuffs in production of alcholic beverages
  • Many states supported prohibition by the time the 18th amendment was passed
  • speakeasies- secret bars which people went to, to gather and socialize
  • dominate resitance in the eastern cities
  • bootleg- smuggle liquor became a major business
  • crime influx- 1920s gang wars 500 rivals were killed in order to control the billion dollar business of the underworld
  • law enforcementwas unable to stop endless stream of illegal alcohol as opponents felt repeal was only possible if it was broken on a massive scale
  • 21st amendment was ratified which let the states decide if they support prohibition , the 18th amendment was repealed
  • Sarah M, Zack G
Supporting Details/Key Terms:
  • Prohibition began in 1920 by the 18th amendment.
  • Supporters of the law thought it would eliminate social problems.
  • "Speakeasies" -secret underground bars
  • Youth found bootlegging, the illegal manufacturing of alcohol, to be exciting
  • Mobsters like Scarface reveled in their increasin power as booze distributors
  • Women began drinking in record numbers, and others found a new hobby in manufacturing "bathtub gin"
  • Law enforcement was unable to stop the stream at alcohol
  • Leaders recognized the need to at least overhaul the law if it was to be enforced
  • 18th amendment was repealed in 1933
  • 21st amendment, states decide themselves whether or not to
  • Alli R. Brandon G.
    support prohibition
Supporting Details/Key Terms:
  • Volstead Act- forbade the manufature and sale of beverages with an alcholoic content greater than .5 percent
  • Speakeasies- secret bars where indivviduals gathered to socialize
  • Bootleg- to smuggle liquor
  • Twnety-first Amendmnet- allowed states to decide for themselves whether or not to support prohibiton
  • Homebrews- manufacturing homemade concotions for personal consumption
  • Al Capone- a mobster who smuggled and distributed booze as well as gambling and prostitution
  • Lever Act- outlawed the use of grain and other foodstuffs in the production of alcholic beverages